KUALA LUMPUR: Producer, director, and actor Datuk Yusof Haslam revealed that his wife of 41 years Datin Patimah Ismail once left him after listening to "fake news".
This, he said in an interview with Berita Harian yesterday, happened more than 20 years ago, shortly before his hit film Gerak Khas The Movie premiered in cinemas.
"This was the work of certain individuals who spread malicious lies about me. They claimed that I was disloyal to my dearest wife, and as a result, she left me for a month to spend time at a religious school in Pokok Sena, Alor Star, Kedah," said Yusof.
Yusof admitted that he was in great emotional pain when his wife left him, but listening to a song by Kopratasa titled Permata Untuk Isteri "fired him up" and made him determined to get his wife back.
"That song came on the radio and gave me much-needed strength. It was our favourite love song."
Yusof eventually got his wife to return home with a little help from his father-in-law.
"It was a lesson learned for both of us.
"On her part, it was to avoid listening to fake news, and on my part, it was to be extra careful when mixing with people," said Yusof.
Yusof added that Patimah came home just in time to watch the premiere of Gerak Khas The Movie with him and their four children.
Yusof who hails from Sitiawan, Perak is the founder of Skop Productions which he established in 1985.
He began his acting career in 1972 when he starred in Tan Sri P. Ramlee's last film Laksamana Do Re Mi.
Yusof has appeared in 31 films including Loceng Maut, Sayang Anakku Sayang, Jiwa Remaja, Tiada Esok Bagimu, Cinta Dan Lagu, Detik 12 Malam, and Bukit Kepong.
He has also directed 31 films beginning with Bayangan Maut in 1981.
As a producer, Yusof has come up with 40 films and television dramas including Roda-Roda Kota Raya and Gerak Khas.
His sons Syamsul and Syafiq are also successful directors in their own right.